ARLINGTON, TEXAS (TICKER) — Rick Helling, one of four 20-game winners last season, today agreed to a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers.
Helling’s agent, Jeff Moorad, said in a teleconference that the 28-year-old right-hander received the largest guaranteed contract for a first-year arbitration-eligible player.
Helling was 20-7 with a 4.41 ERA and helped Texas win its second American League West title in three seasons. He was especially effective at the beginning and end of the season. He became the first Texas pitcher to win his first six starts and finished by going 5-0 in his final eight appearances.
“I wasn’t expecting a long-term contract but I’m happy Doug (Rangers general manager Doug Melvin) came to us and we were able to get it done,” Helling said. “Ever since the day I signed with the Rangers, it has been the organizaton I wanted to be with. For them to go out and extend this contract to a three-year deal just shows that they believe in the kind of pitcher I am and the kind of person I am.”
Helling, who made $216,500 last season, shared the major-league lead in wins with Roger Clemens, David Cone and Tom Glavine. He led the Rangers with 216 1/3 innings and four complete games and tied for the team high with 33 starts and two shutouts.
Helling was the starter and loser in Game Two of the Division Series against the New York Yankees, allowing three runs in six innings.
Texas spent the offseason in an unsuccessful pursuit of Randy Johnson and Clemens, leaving Helling and 19-game winner Aaron Sele as its top two starters. Helling’s name was mentioned in a possible deal for Clemens which never materialized.
“Just going into spring training knowing for the first time I don’t have to compete for a job is something new to me,” said Helling, the AL Pitcher of the Month for September who also led the league with a club-record 11 road wins.
The Fargo, North Dakota native began his career with Texas in 1994 and was traded to the Florida Marlins in September 1996 to complete an earlier deal for John Burkett. The Rangers always saw potential in Helling and re-acquired him from the Marlins on August 12, 1997 for pitcher Ed Vosberg.
Helling is 23-10 since returning to the Rangers and has a career record of 31-23 with a 4.64 ERA. He pitched a perfect game for Class AAA Oklahoma City on August 13, 1996.
The signing of Helling leaves pitchers Sele and Tim Crabtree, catcher Gregg Zaun and infielder Lee Stevens as Rangers still eligible for arbitration.